Fools and Mortals

A dramatic new departure for international bestselling author Bernard Cornwell, FOOLS AND MORTALS takes us into the heart of the Elizabethan era, long one of his favourite periods of British history. 'With all the vivid history that is his trademark, Bernard Cornwell transports the readers to the playhouses, backstreets and palaces of Shakespeare's London with added depth and compassion' Philippa Gregory In the heart of Elizabethan England, young Richard Shakespeare dreams of a glittering career in the London playhouses, dominated by his older brother, William. But as a penniless actor with a silver tongue, Richard's onetime gratitude begins to sour, as does his family loyalty. So it is that Richard falls under suspicion when a priceless manuscript goes missing, forcing him into a high-stakes game of duplicity and betrayal, and through the darkest alleyways of the city. In this richly portrayed tour de force, Fools and Mortals takes you among the streets and palaces, scandals and rivalries, and lets you stand side-by-side with the men and women of Bernard Cornwell's masterful Elizabethan London.

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Reviews

Praise for Bernard Cornwell: `Like Game of Thrones, but real' OBSERVER 'Blood, divided loyalties and thundering battles' THE TIMES 'Strong narrative, vigourous action and striking characterisation, Cornwell remains king of the territory he has staked out as his own' SUNDAY TIMES 'A violent, absorbing historical saga, deeply researched and thoroughly imagined' WASHINGTON POST `The best battle scenes of any writer I've ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive' George R.R. Martin `Cornwell draws a fascinating picture of England as it might have been before anything like England existed' THE TIMES `He's called a master storyteller. Really he's cleverer than that' TELEGRAPH `A reminder of just how good a writer he is' SUNDAY TIMES `Nobody in the world does this better than Cornwell' Lee Child

Author description

Bernard Cornwell was born in London, raised in Essex and worked for the BBC for eleven years before meeting Judy, his American wife. Denied an American work permit he wrote a novel instead and has been writing ever since. He and Judy divide their time between Cape Cod and Charleston, South Carolina.